Bradford is the all-round best candidate
I support Christopher Bradford for District 5 county supervisor. He’s a natural-born leader you can always count on, like a favorite uncle.
I’m independent, and prefer not to lean on others. But just being around him makes me feel safe, like the things I don’t have control over are being taken care of, or will be: that everything will work out. Probably because he’s the most positive, can-do, solutions-oriented, community-minded person I know.
There are other people in government or politics who I’ve learned to trust over time. But I trusted Christopher instantly, from the moment I met him.
Christopher’s also one of the smartest, most capable people I know and really listens. Like many who run their own successful business, he’s a self-starter, knows how to quickly figure things out, and how to get stuff done.
For example, before the court-appointed receiver took over operation of Big Basin Water, we customers suffered constant outages and no one knew if our water was safe to drink. Christopher was one of the few who stepped up to keep us informed and worked with state and local agencies to find a solution.
These are the people strengths he’ll bring to District 5: the bureaucratic skills he already knows from business and other experiences, or will learn on the job.
Ann Thryft
Boulder Creek
Why Bradford is the right choice for District 5
As a long-time resident of the Valley, I have seen our community’s unique challenges and opportunities. With Bruce McPherson not seeking re-election, it is essential to find someone who truly understands our area and is willing to listen to the concerns of our communities.
After having a conversation with Christopher Bradford, I was struck by his genuine interest in understanding the issues that matter to us. He didn’t just hear me out; he actively sought more information and showed a real passion for making a positive difference.
What sets Christopher apart is his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work toward solutions. He’s not driven by ego or politics but by a genuine desire to create a better community for all of us. His approach is refreshing—he’s not a career politician, but rather someone committed to saying “Yes” to finding ways to make positive changes happen.
District 5 is not like the other districts in Santa Cruz County. We face unique challenges, such as road issues, mudslides, power outages, homelessness and the threat of fires. Christopher understands these challenges and is dedicated to finding practical solutions.
What’s more, Christopher’s integrity and moral code are impeccable. He genuinely cares about the people in our community and is committed to representing us with honesty and compassion.
Christopher is the right choice to represent District 5. His genuine care for our community, willingness to listen and commitment to positive change make him an ideal candidate. Whether you support him or not, it’s clear that Christopher will work tirelessly to make our community a better place for everyone.
Kym Morello
Ben Lomond
Bradford poised to lead district in wildfire prep
As the last remaining true independent insurance agency and broker in North Santa Cruz County, we spend each day finding replacement coverage for dozens of non-renewed homes, rentals and businesses that are losing coverage due to wildfire risks and an extremely dysfunctional property insurance marketplace.
While we wait for insurance companies, state legislators and regulators to play out their game of chicken with our consumer pocketbooks, there are only a few things we as Santa Cruz County Mountains property owners and residents can do besides feel helpless. Emergency planning and preparedness, improving our defensible space, creating Fire Safe Councils and Firewise Communities are among our best pursuits.
We also desperately need a supervisor from our Fifth District to advocate on our behalf and seek to build a coalition on our County Board of Supervisors to focus every available one of our tax dollars toward amplifying these efforts and streamlining our efficiency. Christopher Bradford will work tirelessly for District 5, where we do not need more of the same.
Edan Cassidy
Broker, Cassidy Insurance Agency LLC, Scotts Valley
Yes on U is a vote for sanity
Yes on U was created to rein in the SLV Water District’s foolish spending. The No on U people are the same ones who voted to buy top-of-the-line work trucks instead of the much cheaper utilitarian trucks favored by agencies, such as PG&E.
They just gave a gift of $100,000 of your money to the ex-temporary general manager. No on U people have already spent $3 million on a Taj Mahal office building (which was stopped by outraged citizens) because they are jealous of the nice building that houses the Scotts Valley Water District.
It’s no wonder why they’re behind on replacing leaking tanks. Measure U won’t stop all foolish spending, but it will help. Send a message to the irresponsible water district management.
Vote Yes on U.
Karen Brown
Boulder Creek
No on U, yes on the Ls
The authors and supporters of Measure U remind me of those who authored and supported the disastrous decisions made by the Boeing Corporation. At Boeing, once science and engineering were removed from the equation of safe airplanes, those planes began to fall apart in mid-air, with new safety issues arising, and a previously healthy corporation, crashing.
When quizzing two of the authors/candidates for Water District Board (Holloway and Smallman) of Measure U regarding predictions about how sufficient revenue will be raised to improve our fragile and complicated water system, the responses are: trust us, we are the only ones who know how to fix this, science is going away, climate change is a hoax, we don’t need engineers or other experts who have deep knowledge about best practices in supporting and running a water district, protecting the environment is needless. They repeat the same statements and instead of thoughtful responses, counter that those who do not support Measure U are “fear mongers.”
They also say that decisions need to be made based on common sense. Smallman’s “common sense” has him telling us that he alone knows how to bury intake water pipes—you just get a backhoe and dig away. We live in a county that has the highest rate of landslides in the entire state. He touts his long residence in the Valley as legitimacy of his positions, but if he’d been here in the ’70s and earlier, like I’ve been, he would know that when a conservative California State Government floated the mandate that the San Lorenzo Valley be fully converted to sewers from septic, that same mandate was squashed for the very reasons the burying of water intake pipes won’t work now.
This mountainous environment is fragile. Earthquakes, even minor, and landslides, as well as unstable and steep geology create inescapable barriers. Smallman’s common sense is scary sense at best.
The work ahead to create a sustainable water system must be undertaken by folks who respond knowledgeably to questions posed, whose decisions are based on best practices from current and future scientific findings, and that experts in the fields affecting our water district be consulted. These folks must also continue to support the currently under-utilized program for lower income households, and remain willing to include the public in intelligent and peaceful conversations about the District, as well as respectful treatment of District staff.
Alina Layng and Brian Largay are the two candidates who have demonstrated their ability to fulfill these needs. When casting your ballot, you must reject Measure U and support Layng and Largay to ensure our district has a healthy future. Don’t “Boeing” our water district.
Beth Ahlgren
Felton
